Bouncing pet toy

ABSTRACT

A pet toy has an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis with first and second spaced bulbous sections, each having a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout. The first and second sections each include respective first and second openings defining respective first and second diameters. A center section has an inner surface forming a center opening of a third diameter which is less than at least one of the first and second diameters. The center section interconnects the first and second bulbous sections. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs extend around the periphery of the bulbous sections forming grooves to facilitate an animal gripping the toy with its teeth. At least one of the bulbous ends has an opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of the center section so that a knot of a pull rope extending through the center of the pet toy will pass through the opening in the bulbous section but will not pass through the center section. Edible food treats can be placed in the pet toy through the opening(s) in the respective bulbous sections and center section which can be removed by the pet biting down on the pet toy and deforming the side wall. When the teeth of the animal deform an end of the pet toy, the ribs deflect inwardly to clean the teeth and/or massage the gums. In a second embodiment, the pet toy has a hollow core of substantially constant cross-section.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a pet toy and, more particularly, to a pet toywhich is flexible, has an irregular shape, and a hollow core causing itto bounce in an irregular fashion when thrown on the ground or thefloor. The hollow core provides a passageway for attaching a pull ropeand/or for receiving an edible food treat.

BACKGROUND ART

Play toys for animals, and particularly dogs, have been available foryears in various sizes and configurations, each designed to provide jawexercise and to enhance the animals' interest in playing with the toy.Enhanced interest in the toy may occur by giving it a physicalconfiguration which will bounce in odd directions when tossed onto thefloor or ground. Also interest in a pet toy can be enhanced by providingfood treats in the pet toy. Many pet toys provide one or both of thesefeatures with varying success. Examples of such toys are found in U.S.design Pat. Des. No. 234,789 and Des. No. 234,790 to Rosenberg, eachentitled “Sounding Toy For Pet Animal”, and U.S. design Pat. Des. No.256,958 to Markham, entitled “Pet Toy”. This latter pet toy is hollowand has an irregular outer configuration and provides substantial jawexercise for the animal.

A further example of such prior art pet toys is U.S. Pat. Re. No. 34,352to Markham, entitled “Therapeutic Pet Toy”. This pet toy has anirregular outer configuration and a central core extending therethrough.A series of longitudinally spaced peripheral grooves are provided whichhave inwardly projecting lips for cleaning the teeth of the animal. Thehollow core facilitates deformation of the pet toy with the animal bitesinto the grooves. The resistance of the pet toy to deformation providesexercise for the animal's jaw.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, a pet toy is provided forentertaining an animal and providing jaw exercise. In one form of theinvention the pet toy has an elongated hollow body extending along alongitudinal axis having first and second ends and a side wall ofsubstantially constant cross-section throughout. A first bulbous sectionhas a first opening defining a first inner diameter, the first bulboussection forming the first end of the elongated body. A second bulboussection has a second opening defining a second inner diameter, thesecond bulbous section forming the second end of the elongated hollowbody and spaced from the first bulbous section. A center section isprovided which extends along the longitudinal axis between the first andsecond bulbous sections and is connected at opposite ends to bothsections. The first and second openings form one continuous openingthrough the pet toy. The center section surrounds a narrowed diameteropening portion which lies between the first and second bulbous sectionsand has a third inner diameter. A plurality of spaced ribs may extendaround the periphery of the pet toy to facilitate an animal gripping thepet toy with its teeth.

More particularly, at least one of the bulbous sections has an openinghaving a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the center sectionso that a knot of a pull rope extending through the center of the pettoy will pass through the opening in the bulbous section but will notpass through the center section. Also, edible food treats can be placedin the pet toy through the opening(s) in the respective bulbous sectionsand the center section.

In another form of the invention, an elongated hollow body extends alonga longitudinal axis and has first and second ends and a central hollowcore of a substantially constant diameter. The first bulbous section hasa first outer diameter and a first wall thickness forming the first endof the elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis. Asecond bulbous section has a second outer diameter and a second wallthickness forming the second end of the elongated hollow body and isspaced from said first bulbous section. A center section lies along thelongitudinal axis between and is connected to the first bulbous sectionand the second bulbous section. The center section has a thin deformableside wall whose outer diameter is less than at least one of the firstand second outer diameters and has a third thickness which is less thanat least one of the first and second thicknesses.

Additional advantages of this invention will become apparent from thedetailed description of this invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pet toy of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the irregular bouncing action of the pet toy when itis tossed on the ground;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken along line 3-3 of FIG.1, showing the uniform cross-section of the pet toy and the relationshipof the respective diameters of the bulbous sections and the centersection;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section, taken along 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through the pet toy of thisinvention showing the insertion and use of a pull rope therewith;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section through the pet toy of thisinvention showing the insertion of an edible food treat therein;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section of the left end of the pet toyshowing a jaw of an animal biting down on the pet toy so that the ribsof the pet toy engage the sides of the teeth and the gums of the animal;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section showing details of theengagement of the teeth and gums of the animal with the ribs; and

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal vertical section of another embodiment of thepet toy of this invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the pet toy 10 of this invention has anelongated body extending along axis 12 wherein the elongated bodyincludes a first bulbous section 14 having first and second ends and asecond bulbous section 16 having first and second ends and spaced fromthe first bulbous section 14. These bulbous sections are interconnectedby a center section 18 which also has first and second ends. As clearlyseen in FIG. 3, the side wall 19 defines a cross-section which issubstantially uniform throughout. This uniform cross-section facilitatesthe irregular bouncing action of the pet toy when tossed so that itbounces along an irregular path, such as path 20 shown in FIG. 2. Thiscreates interest in the pet toy by an animal such as dog 22.Conveniently, each bulbous section 14 and 16 has a plurality of pairs ofspaced ribs 24, each pair forming a first narrow groove 26 therebetweento facilitate an animal griping the pet toy with its teeth. A secondwider groove 27 is formed between the pairs of ribs 26, as shown.Conveniently, the animal can deform the pet toy by biting down on thebulbous sections.

Bulbous section 14 has an outer diameter and bulbous section 16 has asimilarly sized outer diameter. In the embodiment shown, although theouter diameters are the same, it will be understood that one of ordinaryskill in this art could construct a pet toy having bulbous sections ofdifferent diameters to modify the bouncing characteristics of the pettoy. The center section 18 has a third outer diameter which is less thanat least one the first and second outer diameters. Center section 18 ispositioned along longitudinal axis 12 between bulbous section 14 andbulbous section 16 and is connected to both.

Additionally, bulbous section 14 has an opening 28 at its first or outerend. This opening 28 defines a first inner diameter. Bulbous section 16has an opening 30 at its first or outer end. This opening 30 defines asecond inner diameter. The first and second inner diameters are greaterthan a third inner diameter of center section 18 which forms a surfacewhich defines opening 32 therethrough.

This arrangement provides several advantages. First, as shown in FIG. 6,when used with a pull rope 34 having a knot 36 at one end thereof, theknot is sized to be small enough to pass through an opening in a bulboussection, such as opening 28 in bulbous section 14, but is larger indiameter than the third inner diameter of opening 32 in center section18. Accordingly, the knot engages the interior surface of center section18 which serves as an anchor point for knot 36. The free end of rope 34may then extend through opening 30 in bulbous section 16 so that it canserve as a pull rope. It is readily apparent that the direction of therope can be reversed so that knot 36 passes through opening 30 ofbulbous section 16 and bears against the opposite side of the interiorsurface of center section 18 as an anchor with the rope 34 passingthrough opening 28 in bulbous section 14. Furthermore, it will beunderstood that one of openings 28 and 30 could be smaller in diameterthan the diameter of knot 36 so long as the diameter of the other ofbulbous sections 28 and 30 is larger than the diameter of the rope. Inthis instance, the rope could be inserted through the pet toy in onlyone direction.

A second advantage is that an edible pet treat 38, as shown in FIG. 7,can be inserted through either opening 28 of bulbous section 14 oropening 30 of bulbous section 16 but is resiliently gripped by theinterior surface of center section 18 defined by opening 32. Once theanimal has chewed off the end of edible food treat 38, the remainingportion of the treat can be released by the animal chewing on the pettoy and deforming it so as to crush or dislodge edible food treat 38from within opening 32. Thus, the interest of the animal in the pet toyof this invention can be maintained over an extended period of timebecause of the effort required to remove the entire edible treat fromthe pet toy.

Also, the edible treat can be longer than the length of the pet toy andextent out of both openings 28 and 30 while being resiliently heldintermediate its ends by the interior surface defined by opening 32.After chewing off the ends of the treat, the remainder of the treatwhich is inside the pet toy will be released by the animal chewing onthe pet toy to deform it so that the remainder of the treat is crushedand will fall out the ends of the pet toy. Alternatively, the treat canbe shorter than the pet toy and positioned within it so that neither endis exposed. In order to remove any of treat in this instance, the animalmust deform the pet toy by chewing on it to crush the treat so that itfalls out of the ends of the pet toy.

By turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, another advantage of this invention can beseen. Conveniently, the ribs 24 function to clean the sides of the teethof the animal when it bites down on bulbous section 14. When teeth 40bite down on groove 27, they deflect area 42 on the opposite sides ofside wall 19 inwardly so that the innermost rib 24, with respect towider groove 27, of adjacent pairs of ribs 24 engage the opposite sidesof tooth 40 thus effecting the cleaning action. The deflection of area42 also allows the gums 43 to be massaged by the outermost ribs 24, withrespect to wider groove 27, of adjacent pairs of ribs 24 at the sametime tooth 40 is being cleaned by the innermost ribs 24. The samecleaning and massaging action will occur when the animal bites down onbulbous section 16 as well.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 wherein pet toy 10′ includesbulbous sections 14′ and 16′ and center section 18′ have a longitudinalcenter bore or opening 44 of substantially uniform cross-section. Thispet toy will function similarly to that of FIGS. 1-7 except that bulboussections 14′ and 16′ will be less easily deflected by the teeth of theanimal. However, by changing the elasticity of the material from whichthe pet toy is made, it is possible to compensate for the greaterthickness of the side wall 19′ at bulbous sections 14′ and 16′.

From the foregoing, the advantages of this invention are readilyapparent. An elongated hollow pet toy has been provided which has spacedbulbous sections joined by a center section wherein the cross-section ofthe elongated body wall is substantially uniform throughout. Thisexterior configuration together with the hollow interior cause the pettoy to bounce in an irregular fashion when thrown on the floor orground. The bulbous sections can have the same diameters or differentdiameters. In either case, an opening is provided in the end of eachbulbous section and at least one such opening is of a greater diameterthan that of the opening in the center section so as to provide ananchoring surface for the knot on a pull rope with the pull ropeextending through the other of such openings or to resiliently hold anedible food treat which is inserted through one of the openings in thebulbous end sections. Peripheral ribs are spaced longitudinally alongthe bulbous sections of the pet toy to form grooves so that the animalcan grasp the pet toy with its teeth. In one embodiment the pet toy hasa thin wall of substantially constant cross-section which enhances thebouncing characteristics of the pet toy. When the teeth of the animalbite down on the pet toy, the side walls deform so that the ribs deflectinwardly to clean the teeth and/or massage the gums. In a secondembodiment, the pet toy has a hollow core of substantially uniformdiameter.

This invention has been described in detail with reference to particularembodiments thereof, but it will be understood that various othermodifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of thisinvention.

1. A pet toy for entertaining an animal and providing jaw exercise, teeth cleaning and/or gum massaging for the animal, said pet toy comprising: an elongated hollow body, having an outer peripheral surface, extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends and a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout; and a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of annular ribs extending around said outer peripheral surface to facilitate the animal gripping said pet toy with its teeth, each said pairs at least one pair of ribs defining a first narrow groove therebetween and at least one adjacent pairs pair of ribs defining a second wider groove therebetween wherein the inner rib of each the at least one pair of ribs with respect to said second wider groove are disposed for engagement with the teeth, and the outer rib of each the at least one pair of ribs with respect to said second wide groove are disposed for engagement with the gums when the animal bites down on said second wider groove on said outer peripheral surface between said spaced pairs of annular ribs.
 2. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 1, said elongated hollow body further including: a first bulbous section having a first opening defining a first inner diameter and forming said first end of said elongated hollow body and forming said first end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis; a second bulbous section having a second opening defining a second inner diameter and forming said second end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis and spaced from said first bulbous section; and a center section extending along said longitudinal axis between and connected to said first bulbous section and said second bulbous section, said center section having a third inner diameter which forms an inner surface defining a center opening said third inner diameter being less than at least one of said firsts and second inner diameters.
 3. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said first and second inner diameters are different.
 4. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said first and second inner diameters are the same.
 5. A pet toy for entertaining an animal and providing jaw exercise, teeth cleaning and/or gum massaging for the animal, said pet toy comprising: an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends and a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout; a first bulbous section having a first opening defining a first inner diameter and forming said first end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis; a second bulbous section having a second opening defining a second inner diameter and forming said second end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis and spaced from said first bulbous section; a center section extending along said longitudinal axis between and connected to said first bulbous section and said second bulbous section, said center section having a third inner diameter which forms an inner surface defining a center opening said third inner diameter being less than at least one of said first and second inner diameters; and a rope extending through said elongated hollow body along said longitudinal axis having a fourth diameter smaller than either said first and second inner diameters and having an end with a knot formed therein which knot has a fifth diameter which is smaller than said at least one of said first and second inner diameters but is larger than said third inner diameter so that said knot can pass through said at least one of said first and second inner diameters but not pass through said third inner diameter and engages said inner surface of said center section as an anchor wherein said rope extends through the other of said at least one of said first and second openings to serve as a pull for said pet toy.
 6. A pet toy for entertaining an animal and providing jaw exercise, teeth cleaning and/or gum massaging for the animal, said pet toy comprising: an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends and a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout; a first bulbous section having a first opening defining a first inner diameter and forming said first end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis; a second bulbous section having a second opening defining a second inner diameter and forming said second end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis and spaced from said first bulbous section; a center section extending along said longitudinal axis between and connected to said first bulbous section and said second bulbous section, said center section having a third inner diameter which forms an inner surface defining a center opening said third inner diameter being less than at least one of said first and second inner diameters; and an edible animal treat extending through and resiliently gripped in said center opening.
 7. A pet toy for entertaining an animal and providing jaw exercise, teeth cleaning and/or gum massaging for the animal, said pet toy comprising: an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends and a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout; a first bulbous section having a first opening defining a first inner diameter and forming said first end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis; a second bulbous section having a second opening defining a second inner diameter and forming said second end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis and spaced from said first bulbous section; a center section extending along said longitudinal axis between and connected to said first bulbous section and said second bulbous section, said center section having a third inner diameter which forms an inner surface defining a center opening said third inner diameter being less than at least one of said first and second inner diameters; and a first edible animal treat extending through and resiliently gripped in said first opening; and a second edible animal treat extending through and resiliently gripped in said second opening.
 8. A pet toy for entertaining an animal and providing jaw exercise, teeth cleaning and/or gum massaging for the animal, said pet toy comprising: an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends and a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout; a first bulbous section having a first opening defining a first inner diameter and forming said first end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis; a second bulbous section having a second opening defining a second inner diameter and forming said second end of said elongated hollow body extending along said longitudinal axis and spaced from said first bulbous section; a center section extending along said longitudinal axis between and connected to said first bulbous section and said second bulbous section, said center section having a third inner diameter which forms an inner surface defining a center opening said third inner diameter being less than at least one of said first and second inner diameters; and an edible animal treat having a length greater than that of said elongated hollow body, said edible food treat extending through and resiliently gripped in said first and second openings and said center opening.
 9. A pet toy for entertaining an animal and providing exercise, teeth cleaning and/or gum massaging for the animal, said pet toy comprising: an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends and a central hollow core of substantially constant diameter; a first bulbous section extending along said longitudinal axis having a first opening defining a first diameter and a first wall thickness forming said first end of said elongated hollow body; a second bulbous section extending along said longitudinal axis and spaced from said first bulbous section, said second bulbous section having a second opening defining a second diameter and a second wall thickness forming said second end of said elongated hollow body; a center section extending along said longitudinal axis between and connected to said first bulbous section and said second bulbous section, said center section having a thin deformable side wall and an inner surface forming a center opening of a third diameter which is less than at least one of said first and second diameters, said thin deformable side wall having a third thickness which is less than at least one of said first and second thicknesses and a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of annular ribs extending around said outer peripheral surface to facilitate the animal gripping said pet toy with its teeth, each said pairs of ribs defining a first narrow groove therebetween and adjacent pairs of ribs defining a second wider groove therebetween wherein the inner rib of each pair of ribs with respect to said second wider groove are disposed for engagement with the teeth and the outer rib of each pair of ribs with respect to said second wide groove are disposed for engagement with the gums when the animal bites down on said second wider groove.
 10. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 9, wherein: said first and second wall thicknesses are equal.
 11. A pet toy comprising: a first bulbous section having an outer peripheral surface; a second bulbous section having a outer peripheral surface and spaced from said first bulbous section; a center section interconnecting said first and second bulbous sections; said first and second bulbous sections each having sidewalls of substantially uniform thickness; a plurality of longitudinally spaced pairs of ribs extending around said outer peripheral surfaces of said first and second bulbous sections to facilitate an animal gripping said pet toy with its teeth, said ribs defining narrow and wider grooves disposed therebetween; and said pet toy being deformable in response to the biting action of an animal.
 12. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said first and second bulbous sections and said center section are aligned along a longitudinal axis.
 13. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said first bulbous section further includes a first opening formed at one end thereof; and said second bulbous section having a second opening formed at a second end thereof.
 14. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 13, further including: an edible animal treat placed in either said first and second openings.
 15. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 11, wherein: said center section includes a center opening; and an edible animal treat inserted in said center opening.
 16. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 11, further including: a rope extending through said pet toy and having an end with a knot formed therein, said rope being secured within said pet toy. 